Ian Curtis

Ian Curtis
Curtis performing in July 1979
Background information
Birth name	Ian Kevin Curtis
Born	(1956-07-15)15 July 1956 Stretford, Lancashire, England
Died	18 May 1980(1980-05-18) (aged 23) Macclesfield, Cheshire, England
Genres	Gothic rock[1] post-punk
Occupations	Singer songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals guitar melodica
Years active	1976–1980
Labels	Factory
Formerly of	Joy Division
Website	joydivisionofficial.com

Ian Kevin Curtis (15 July 1956 – 18 May 1980) was an English singer, songwriter and musician. He was best known as the lead singer, lyricist and occasional guitarist of the band Joy Division, with whom he released the albums Unknown Pleasures (1979) and Closer (1980). He was noted for his distinct on-stage behaviour and unique dancing style influenced by his experiences with epilepsy, as well as his dark baritone voice. Retrospectively viewed as "one of the finest songwriters of his generation," his intensely introspective and dark lyricism has provoked "visceral and raw emotions" among fans.^[2]

Curtis had severe epilepsy and depression and died by suicide on the eve of Joy Division's first North American tour, shortly before the release of Closer. Shortly after his death, the three surviving members of the band renamed themselves New Order. Despite their short career, Joy Division exerted a wide-reaching influence. John Bush of AllMusic argues that they "became the first band in the post-punk movement emphasizing not anger and energy but mood and expression, pointing ahead to the rise of melancholy alternative music in the '80s".^[1] According to critic Simon Reynolds, Joy Division's influence has extended from contemporaries such as U2 and the Cure to later acts including Interpol, Bloc Party, Fontaines D.C., and Editors, as well as rappers including Danny Brown and Vince Staples.^[3][4]